Muktamani gets entrepreneur award
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 19 2015 : The 2nd Vasundhara NE Woman Entrepreneur of the year (2013-14) instituted by Sreemanta Sankar Mission of Guwahati was conferred upon Moirengthem Muktamani Devi of Manipur today at IIM, Shillong by M Rajeshwar Rao, CGM, FMOD, Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai during a glittering function organized in the ongoing annual mana-gement conclave of the IIM called EmergE 2015 .

Kaushik Sinha, DGM &CDO, State Bank of India, NE Region, Guwahati, Amar-nath, GM, RBI, Patricia Mu- khim, Editor, The Shillong Times, Dr Jemino Manthou, MLA, Malki Nongthymmai, M Pariat, Managing Director, Meghalaya Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation, Dr Sanjib Kakoty, Professor, IIM, Shillong and Chairperson EmergE 2015, Dr Khagendra Narayan Baruah, Ex Principal, Guwahati Medical College & Hospital and Chief Advisor, Sreemanta Sankar Mission of Guwahati and many distinguished guests were also present during the programme and they gave away the awards to eight winners from eight States of Northeast India.

Those who won state awards are Lata Lepcha from Sikkim, Toko Likha Yaram from Arunachal Pradesh, T Jemima Achumi from Nagaland, Moirengthem Muktamani Devi from Manipur (also the title winner), Lalhimpuii Hmar (Lapuii) from Mizoram, Sukla Rani Debbarma from Tripura, Queency Thangkhiew from Meghalaya and Kanta Dey from Assam.

The State winners were awarded with cash award of Rs 10,000, trophy, plaque, citation and Eri shawl each who also spoke briefly after getting the awards.

Muktamani receiving the award

Moirangthem Muktamani Devi, the title winner from Manipur who is into the business of manufacturing woollen knitted shoes and exports her products to UK, Australia and Kora besides supplying regularly to defence forces was given away the cash award of Rs 25,000 along with winners trophy, plaque, citation and an Eri shawl.

Before giving away the awards, Manjit Kr Sarma, Member, Sreemanta Sankar Mission of Guwahati explained about the concept, objectives and vision of the Vasundhara award which seeks to create a regional platform for women entrepreneurs of NE India and link them with different Govt and corporate agencies to fulfil their requirements for funds, technical and technological know-how, marketing and such other factors.

All though there are several Central as well as Govt agencies working in the field of enterprise and business and operating in the region, benefits out of Govt schemes and initiatives are yet to percolate down to the women entrepreneurs working in nooks and corners of the region.

Wherever the govt.fails, the non-government organization have to take up from that point to ensure that no body if left deprived and less empowered, he said while delivering the inaugural address in the function.

Professor Sanjib Kakoty of IIM, Shillong said that it is the society which decides the course of any institution being the stakeholders.

But if institutions remain confined only to them and cut off from the society then stakeholders are not benefited.

The IIM, Shillong since its inception in 2008 has been trying to connect with the society and collaborating with Vasundha-ra is just one step in that direction,�said Professor Kakoty in his address.

Yangchen Doma Lepcha and RK Ongbi Purnima Devi, both State winners of the previous edition of the award who were specially invited to the programme delivered their speeches and shared their experience about the boost they received after winning the awards the previous year.